The history of the star: Thuban

Thuban and Al Tinnin are from the Arabic
title for the whole of Draco,
and Azhdeha from the Persian (Azhdeha is Persian for dragon
or serpent).

It is also Adib, Addib, Eddib,
Adid, Adive, and El Dsib, all
from Al Dhi'bah, the Hyaenas, that also appears for the stars zeta
(ζ Nodus 1), eta (η), and iota (ι
Edasich), as well as for others in
Bootes and
Ursa Major. Al Tizini
(Arabian astronomer, first half of 16th century) called it Al Dhih,
the Male Hyaena.

Among seamen it has been the Dragon's Tail, a title explained
under gamma (γ Etamin):

Allen explains on p.208 under gamma (γ
Etamin) - Firuzabadi referred to a Ras al Tinnin
and Dhanab al Tinnin in the heavens, the Dragon's Head
,
and Tail
;
but these have no connection with our
Draco, reference being
there made solely to the ascending and descending nodes in the orbits of the moon
and planets known to Arabian astronomers under these titles. Primarily, however,
these were from India, and known as Rahu and Kitu. This idea seems to have originated
from the fact that the moon's undulating course was symbolized by that of the stellar
Hydra; and had the latter
word been used instead of "Dragon," the expression would now be better understood.
But it was familiar to seamen as late as the 16th century, for "the head and tayle
of the Dragon"[1 The nodical month also is called the Dracontic, or Draconitic.]
appears in Eden's Dedication, of 1574, to Sir Wyllyam Wynter; and even
now the symbols,
for the ascending node and
for the descending, are used in text-books and almanacs.

Sayce says that the great astrological and astronomical work compiled for
the first
Sargon, king of Agade, or Akkad, devoted much attention to this star, then marking
the pole [Polaris marks the Pole nowadays], as
Tir-An-na, the Life of Heaven; Dayan Same, the
Judge of Heaven; and Dayan Sidi, the Favorable Judge,— all representing
the god Caga Gilgati, whose name it also bore. Brown applies these
titles to Wega (Vega) of the Lyre, the far more ancient pole-star,— but this was
14,000 years ago !—and cited for alpha (α) Draco Dayan Esiru, the
Prospering Judge, or the Crown of Heaven, and Dayan Shisha, the
Judge Directing, as having the highest seat amongst the heavenly host [when it was
the Pole star]. About 2750 B.C. it was less than 10' from the exact pole. About
2750 B.C. it was less than 10' from the exact pole, although now more than 26°;
and as it lies nearly at the centre of the figure, the whole constellation then
visibly swung around it, as on a pivot, like the hands of a clock, but in the reverse
direction.

The star could be seen, both by day and night, from the bottom of the {p.207}
central passage1 of the Great Pyramid of Cheops (Knum Khufu) at Ghizeh,
in 30° of north latitude, as also from the similar points in five other like structures;
and the same fact is asserted by Sir John Herschel as to the two pyramids at Abousseir.
[Allen notes: This passage, 4 feet by 3 ½ feet in diameter and 380 feet long, was
directed northward to this star, doubtless by design of the builder, from a point
deep below the present base, at an inclination of 26° 17' to the horizon. At the
time of its building, perhaps four millenniums before our era, the Southern Cross
(Crux) was entirely visible
to the savage Britons,]

Herschel considered that there is distinct evidence of Thuban formerly
being brighter than now, as its title from its constellation, and its lettering,
would indicate; for with the 17th century German astronomer Bayer it was a 2d-magnitude,—
in fact the only one of that brilliancy in his list of Draco,— and generally so
in star-catalogues previous to two centuries ago. It culminates on the 7th of June.

"Thuban (Hebrew), the subtle. Some 4,620 years
ago it was the Polar Star. It is still a very important star in nautical reckonings,
guiding the commerce of the seas, and thus 'the god of this world' is represented
as winding in his contortions round the pole of the world, as if to indicate his
subtle influence in all worldly affairs." [Witness
of the Stars, E. W. Bullinger 1893].

The astrological influences of the constellation Draco

Legend:Draco represents the dragon
that guarded the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides. According to other
accounts, however, it is either the dragon thrown by the giants at Minerva in their
war with the Gods, or the serpent Python slain by Apollo after the deluge. [Robson*,
p.43.]

Influences: According to Ptolemy
the bright stars are like Saturn and Mars.
Draco gives an artistic
and emotional but somber nature, a penetrating and analytical mind, much travel
and many friends but danger of robbery and of accidental poisoning. It was said
by the Ancients that when a comet was here poison was scattered over the world.
By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Mem and the 13th Tarot
Trump "Death." [Robson*, p.43.]

The astrological influences of the star Thuban

When rising, Thuban indicates prospectors of gold and
silver or those who are ministers of money (this might include accountants, clerical
workers, cashiers etc. nowadays). If setting and if Mars is conjunct the descendant
or in harsh aspect with it, it is said to presage the native being burned in his
own house or killed by public execution. [Fixed
Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.6.]